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The Ministry of Employment, Social Development Canada (ESDC) is currently undertaking a review of the Canada Labour Code – Part III, which directly impacts workers in federally regulated industries (see complete list of industries HERE).

More information on the labour code review and links to participate in an online survey can be found HERE. Unfortunately, there is only a small window of opportunity to give your input, as the deadline for submissions close on Wednesday, January 31, 2018.

Local Unions representing members in industries impacted by this review, and members working under the Canada Labour Code are encouraged to submit their thoughts, concerns and comments to ESDC by email at (NC-MLS_NTM-GD@labour-travail.gc.ca) or by using the links provided above prior to the January 31 deadline.

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3.5 million Canadians can’t afford the medication they need. Canada’s unions are proud that we’ve won health insurance coverage for many of our members. But we believe anyone with a health card should have coverage for the medicines they need. That’s why we’re working to win a universal prescription drug plan that covers everyone in Canada, regardless of their income, age or where they work or live.

Over the next few months, the Canadian Labour Congress will host town hall meetings in more than 25 communities across the country. Featuring Canada’s foremost pharmacare experts and advocates, these important discussions will address why we need a universal prescription drug plan that covers all Canadians, regardless of their age, income, or where they work or live.

Click here to check out the “Pharmacare: A Plan for Everyone” website to register for a town hall near you, and to learn more. You can also watch the video below, which tells the true story of what this meant for one Cambridge, Ontario family. Because of the cost of a pill, Judy and Gary Pope faced an impossible choice: keep their family home, or pay for medication that would prolong Judy’s life. Watch their story, and then add your voice to our call for a universal prescription drug plan for all Canadians.

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The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum is a non-profit organization promoting apprenticeship training across Canada. To better understand the experiences of apprentices, collect insights, ideas and feedback as well as to help identify new ways to overcome training and workplace challenges, the Forum is looking for apprentices to participate in surveys on their Apprentices in Canada ePanel.

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The Ontario Federation of Labour has organized actions today (Wednesday, January 10, 2018) to speak up for workers at Tim Hortons. They are calling on the Tim Hortons corporation to intervene at once, so that such staffing policies aimed to intimidate and punish workers are halted. Tim Hortons already determines the price of everything for its franchisees from sugar to its pre-cooked donuts. This is why we are petitioning the parent company to immediately take action to ensure that wages, benefits and working conditions for all Tim Hortons franchise workers are fully restored.

Let’s brew up some “double trouble” for bad bosses at Tim Hortons, here’s what you can do:

1. Sign the petition. Once you’ve signed it, ask 3 of your friends to do the same.
2. Join an emergency action happening near you today! (Wednesday). In over 15 communities across Ontario, we will organize joint actions together with the Fight for $15 and Fairness (see media advisory) in support of Tim Hortons workers. Click here to download the leaflet. Scroll down for details. 
3. Spread the word. If you or someone you know has a problem at work or is dealing with a bad boss, they can call 1-855-531-0778. This is a toll-free, province-wide hotline operated by the Workers Action Centre.

TODAY! Wednesday, January 10 — Emergency Actions

Cobourg, click here for event page

5:00 PM – Dundas & Elgin St (970 Division St)

Dundas (near Hamilton), click here for event page

5:00 PM – Cootes & York Rd (38 York Rd)

Guelph, click here for event page

5:00 PM – Victoria & York (212 Victoria Rd South)

London, click here for event page

3:00 PM – Dundas & Richmond (172-174 Dundas St)

Ottawa

12:00 PM – Sparks & Bank (200 Sparks St)

Peterborough

4:30 PM – Lansdowne & Monaghan (898 Monaghan Rd)

Toronto

8:00 AM – Markham & Lawrence (3488 Lawrence Ave E)

8:00 AM – Keele & Wilson (2708 Keele St)

8:00 AM – Spadina & College (455 Spadina Ave)

8:00 AM – Bloor & Dufferin (1094 Bloor St West) click here for event page

9:00 AM – Eglinton & Bermondsey (1733 Eglinton Ave E)

12:00 PM – University of Toronto, Bloor & St. George (264 Bloor St W) click here for event page

12:30 PM – Black Creek & Tretheway (500 Trethewey Dr)

2:30 PM – York University, Keele & Steeles (4700 Keele St) click here for event page

4:30 PM – Yonge & College (444 Yonge St) click here for event page

4:30 PM – Bloor & Spadina (334 Bloor St W) click here for event page

5:00 PM – Queen & Lansdowne (1480 Queen St W)

Windsor, click here for event page

10:00 AM – Park Street East & Goyeau (80 Park St E)

Make sure to take a picture of your support and share it with us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/OFLabour/or tag us as Ontario Federation of Labour.

See you at an action today!

Ontario Federation of Labour
http://ofl.nationbuilder.com/

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The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement to mark the 20^th anniversary of the Great Ice Storm:

“On this day, twenty years ago, freezing rain began to fall in Eastern Canada. For the next five days, the rain fell, coating cars, homes, trees, power lines – everything – in as much as 100 mm of ice.

“Power lines and hydro towers collapsed under the weight of the ice, leaving more than three million people in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia in the dark. Blackouts lasted for days, weeks, and, in some cases, even months.

“The storm paralyzed Eastern Canada, as day-to-day routines became nearly impossible. Without electricity, heat, food, and water, people were forced out of their homes and businesses could not stay open. The freezing rain made all forms of transportation treacherous. Impassable roads hindered basic services and made it difficult for emergency vehicles to help those most in need. Thirty-five Canadians died as a result of the storm.

“Almost 16,000 Canadian Armed Forces personnel were deployed in the largest peace time deployment in Canadian history. Soldiers and police officers went from home to home, checking on people, making sure they were okay. Hydro workers toiled day and night to clear debris and restore power.

“Meanwhile, Canadians welcomed neighbours, friends, and family into their homes, sharing generators and hot food. They prepared meals by candlelight, and turned libraries and arenas into shelters so people could find refuge from the cold.

“Twenty years later, time has not dimmed the outpouring of compassion, and sense of community, Canadians showed to each other. Today, I hope all Canadians reflect on, or learn more about, the Great Ice Storm, and how we were there for each other.”

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